VdA stands out for its sector-specific acumen, notably in banking, telecoms, healthcare, energy, and infrastructure. Led by Paulo Pinheiro and Rodrigo Esteves de Oliveira, the ‘exceptional team’ is a go-to adviser for public concessionaires and service licensees seeking guidance in public procurement, dispute resolution and privatisation procedures. Co-head Pinheiro, 'an unmissable name in the market', excels in administrative litigation and concessions in Portugal and Angola, while fellow co-leader Esteves de Oliveira handles concessions, litigation, and public procurement with a particular focus on the banking and infrastructure sectors. Other key individuals include Ana Marta Castro, who often advises on public procurement, litigation, and privatisations in the defence and aviation segments, and Catarina Pinto Correia, whose broad expertise covers public procurement, regulatory and contentious matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'VdA sets itself apart by approaching and serving clients in a warm and almost familial manner, while still maintaining the highest standards of rigour and professionalism.'
'Ana Marta Castro's competence, availability, empathy and permanent search for the best solutions gave us an unparalleled sense of security.’
‘VdA has an exceptional team at the technical, strategic and subject management levels. Paulo Pinheiro is an unmissable name in the market, combining technical solidity and sagacity with the ability to listen and meet the client's objectives. ’
‘The VdA team is very experienced and complementary in all areas of public law.’
'Paulo Pinheiro and André Gaspar Martins are particularly noteworthy.'
‘Excellent responsiveness, flexibility and quality of deliveries.’
‘Catarina Pinto Correia stands out for her legal knowledge, friendliness, professionalism, prestige and recognition.’
‘Paulo Pinheiro's strengths include agility, availability, and client orientation, while Ana Marta Castro's strengths include availability, delivery capacity, and strong work ethic.’

Key clients

Banco de Portugal
Vodafone Portugal – Comunicações Pessoais, S.A.
CTT – Correios de Portugal, S.A.
Portuguese Government
MEO – Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia, S.A.
Portuguese Government (Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy) and Parpública
Tejo Energia, S.A.
Águas de Portugal Group
ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, S.A.
Finerge, S.A.
Group EGF – Environment Global Facilities
SATA Air Açores, S.A. and Azores Regional Government
CUF, S.A.
Ferrovial Construccion| ACA – Alberto Couto Alves S.A.
Novartis Farma
Solverde – Sociedade de Investimentos Turísticos da Costa Verde, S.A.
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.
Biogen MA Inc. and Biogen Portugal – Sociedade Farmacêutica, Unipessoal, Lda.
Rubis Energia Portugal
Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos (SFPS) / Blue Ocean Foundation

Work highlights

Advised Banco de Portugal and Fundo de Resolução on legal proceedings related to Banco Espírito Santo's 2014 resolution, including senior debt retransfer, Novo Banco's sale, and related state aid challenges before the European Union's General Court.
Provides regular legal assistance to Vodafone in all major public law matters as well as in administrative litigation cases.
Assisting CTT with the execution of the postal service concession agreement with the Portuguese State, including arbitral litigation, regulatory issues, and administrative procedures involving the regulator ANACOM.

Lawyers

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